Trinity Stories – Peter Waugh

Tell us about yourself

I’m Peter, and my wife is Jane. We married in 2000 as ‘mature’ candidates. I was married before and have a daughter, who is happily married herself with two children. I had a 27 year career in the Civil Service, followed by several years in private industry (as a payroll trainer) and ending up in full time Christian work in Trinity. I’m now retired, whatever that means!

When did you become aware of God?

I was always aware that there was a God, having been brought up in a Christian home, but I was 15 years old before He became real and personal to me. At that time, under the preaching of a visiting evangelist at our local church I responded to the claims of Christ and surrendered my life to Him. So I’m a product of an old-fashioned ‘altar call’!

In what ways has God made a difference to your life?

Wow! Where do I begin? Let’s just say that something profound happened and life went off in a totally different direction from the start. A sense of understanding for the first time what life was really about, and all that came with it – forgiveness, assurance, peace, fellowship with God – and much more. At the same time, looking back, I know that I entered into battle as an active combatant with an implacable enemy. I’ll explain that under the next question!

What is the thing you find most challenging about following Jesus?

Although following Jesus is for me a daily delight, it is also an enormous challenge. After 45 years on the road with Jesus I think I ‘get’ why his model prayer includes the lines ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’. It speaks of the daily struggle we are all in, but I thank God that he has made provision for us to win through daily. Talk of holiness may not be fashionable these days, but it’s still what God is calling us to and without Holy Spirit deliverance from daily temptations I’m frankly sunk!

Share a part of the Bible that is speaking to you at the moment

Difficult! Just at the time of writing, I’m powerfully struck by Jesus’ question to the disciples (in the gospels) ‘Who do you say that I am?’ and Peter’s declaration ‘You are the Christ…’. Perhaps the most fundamental thing I have to understand and give assent to is the nature and divinity of Jesus – fully God, fully human, Saviour, Lord and King. Many in the churches have not grasped this yet and I think that’s why we are all sorts of bother.

How has being part of Trinity helped you in your Christian journey?

Mainly the people – my lovely, encouraging, supportive, frustrating and at times maddening family in Christ! That, of course, and the sense I have that this is where God wants me at the moment, not that in my sweet ignorance I profess to know precisely what he is saying from day to day! Trinity gives so many opportunities to serve Christ and grow in the faith. The preaching is sound and Biblical and the worship wide in style and content. That’s all very helpful.